"I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the
one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9

Realizing that it was the chastening hand of God upon
him, David refrained from murmuring. It was not the silence of
sullenness, but of meekly acquiescing to the rod. When we are
in our right minds, we shall have nothing to object against
God's dealings with us, or dispute with them. God is
sovereign in the acts of His providence — and
therefore an important branch of our obedience unto Him lies
in suffering His will, as well as in doing His
will. That obedience is evidenced by refusing to repine
against Him by the utterance of any impatient words. Shall vile dust and ashes censure the providential
dealings of the Most High God, or impugn His goodness?
Let all God's treatment of us be both wondrous and righteous
in our eyes.

"If our hope is in God for a happiness in the eternal world —
then we can well afford to reconcile ourselves to all the
dispensations of Divine providence concerning this world."
(Matthew Henry)

The consideration that all our
afflictions are appointed by our loving heavenly Father,
should silence all complaints. It did so with David. He knew
they came not by chance, but according to divine
appointment.

After months of acute suffering, and still in agony of body,
the last words of John Calvin were, "Lord, You grind me
to powder, but it suffices me because it is Your hand."

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his
holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by
it!" Hebrews 12:10-11

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize
with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted
in every way, just as we are" Hebrews 4:15

No books nor universities can teach us the
divine art of sympathy.

We must be strongly tempted ourselves — before we can
understand what others suffer in their temptations.

We must have deep sorrow ourselves — before we can be
true comforters of others in their times of sorrow.

We must walk through the deep valley ourselves —
before we can be guides to others in the same shadowy valleys.

We must feel the strain, and carry the burden,
and endure the struggle ourselves — and only then can
we be touched with the feeling of sympathy, or can give help
to others in life's stresses and overwhelming needs. So we see
one compensation of suffering — it prepares us for
being helpers to others.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and
humble." 1 Peter 3:8

This is how I am justified and forgiven. Not
by the hopeless endeavor to win and fight my way to the favor
of God and the Celestial City — but by looking to Jesus only,
and by leaning on Him absolutely.
"Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Your cross I cling!"

This is how I find assurance. I am tossed with
tempest, overcast with doubt, haunted with fear — while I
scrutinize my own frames and feelings. But when I fix
my gaze steadfastly on Him, so all-sufficient, so
perfect — the morning awakens and the shadows decay; behold,
the winter is past, and the flowers appear! For my own
comfort, I would see Him as a glorious Sun filling my
sky.

This is how I grow holy. While indeed I am bidden work
out my own salvation with fear and trembling, it must not be
as if everything depended on me. It must rather be by a
perpetual faith in Him, and a perpetual prayer to
Him, who works in me to will and to do according to His good
purpose! The battle is not mine, but His. He sows the seed,
and He ripens the harvest. He lays the foundation, and He puts
the top-stone in its fitting place.

This is how I shall be glorified in the end. Self
will have vanished in the better country, and Christ will
be ALL! I shall follow the Lamb wherever He goes. I shall find
my safety, my peace, my victory — in keeping very close to
Him. He will be familiar, and yet He will be new every
morning. And I shall discover in Him a subject of study, and
wonder, and worship, and love — which is illimitable and
unfathomable!

Home is the true wife's kingdom. There, first of all
places, she must be strong and Christly. She may touch life outside
in many ways — if she can do it without slighting the
duties that are hers within her own doors. But if any calls
for her service must are declined — they should not be the
duties of her home. These are hers alone — and not another's.

Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred
trust — the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that
nestle in the home. The best husband — the truest, the
noblest, the gentlest, the richest-hearted — cannot make his
home happy, if his wife is not, in every reasonable sense, a helpmate
to him.

In the last analysis, home happiness
depends on the wife.

Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere.

Her hands fashion its beauty.

Her heart makes its love.

And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine — that no wife
should consider any price too great to pay — to be the light,
the joy, the blessing, the inspiration of
her home!

The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with
love and prayer and purity — is doing something better than
anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our Arabian
wilderness!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called
me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in
me . . . I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to
Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I
went immediately into Arabia." Galatians 1:15-17

Paul went away from all human contact for several years, in
order to spend time alone with God in the Arabian wilderness.

The newborn soul needs solitude, that, apart from the strife
of tongues and the din of the world, it may meditate on
those marvelous things which God has done for it. That it may
frame a larger, deeper, more adequate conception of what
salvation really is. That its gratitude may become more
precise and more profound. That, with nothing and no one to
distract, it may dedicate itself quietly and fully to its
Lord.

The Bible teacher needs solitude, that he may
apprehend the breadth and length and depth and height of that
great, majestic, illimitable book he is to proclaim. That he
may seize hold of the truth of God — and that the truth of God
may seize hold of him. That the truths of Scripture may
become, more than ever, his own possession and exceeding joy.
And then, out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will
speak.

Every saint needs solitude, that he may shake off
the dust and grime of worldliness and sin. That, waiting
on the Lord, he may renew his strength. That a fresh unction
from the Holy One may make him spiritually wise and strong.

In Arabia, as he came forth from the cloud, the face of Moses
shone. In Arabia, the soul of Paul duly took and
strongly kept the print of Heaven.

Ah, there are none of us who can venture to dispense with our Arabian wilderness!

Is it my custom and my delight to go by myself to a quiet
place, and rest awhile with Jesus? (Mark 6:31)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Worthy is the Lamb who was
slain!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain,
standing in the center of the throne!" Revelation 5:6

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering
thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.
They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the
elders. In a loud voice they sang: Worthy
is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and
wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and
praise!" Revelation 5:11-12

The Lamb of God is the center of this mystic and
glowing book of the Revelation.

There is the Lamb with His wounds — the Lamb that was
slain. Even in Heaven He carries those scars of His
passion and death. Even in Heaven I shall be perpetually
reminded that I owe everything to Calvary, and to Him who was
both Victor and Victim there!

There is the Lamb in His royalty — the Lamb in the
center of the Throne. The Head that once was crowned
with the sharp thorns — is crowned with regal glory now! I
rejoice in it for Christ's sake. I rejoice in it for my own
sake, for what is there which He cannot do for me — His little
one? Over the world of nature and men, over unseen
principalities and powers — He rules that He may befriend my
soul.

There is the Lamb with His shepherding of His own
people — the Lamb shall lead them. To all eternity He
will shepherd me, feed me, protect me, uphold me! I shall
never be able to dispense with Him. I shall never wish to
stand alone, outside His keeping and His care. Through the
everlasting years, I shall avow myself my dear Lord's debtor.

There is the Lamb in His triumphs — the Lamb shall overcome
them. So, one day, I shall see all my enemies routed and dead.
One happy day, I shall be entirely freed from the antagonism
and harassment of my sins! He who is for me, is mightier than
the hosts arrayed against me!

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Your eyes will see the King
in His beauty!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Your eyes will see the King in His
beauty! They will behold a far-distant land!"
Isaiah 33:17

If God is mine, then I shall dwell on high with Him forever. I
am traveling to a world where I shall be fully satisfied.

My intellect will have her blessing then. Just now I
am learning many glorious lessons in the school of Jesus;
but there are questions of the mind which remain
unanswered, and problems which are still unsolved. But
by and by I shall know even as also I am known — clearly,
unerringly, perfectly.

My conscience will have her blessing then. Since
Christ became mine, her troublesome accusations have been
stilled, and her governing power has been restored. But she
has her fears even yet, and her difficulties and
uncertainties. It is not quite the full noon in the
realm of conscience. But, when she walks with the Lamb in
white, all the shadows will be gone.

My will, too, will have her blessing then. By the
grace of God, I have an obedient will now, whose delight is to
run the way of the Master's commandments. Yes — but traces of
the old rebelliousness linger within me, to my own sorrow and
shame. When I see the King, I shall gladly serve Him day and
night!

And my heart will have her blessing then. Jesus has
met her craving for love; and yet she is crying out for more
of His presence and Himself — more and more! But, in the
far-distant land, my heart's most daring requests will find
their fullest response, and she is content and at rest.

What stores of happiness, what rivers of pleasures,
are at His right hand!

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is
fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures
forevermore!" Psalm 16:11

"At this, Jobgot up and tore his robe and
shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and
said: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will
depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the
name of the LORD be praised!" Job 1:20-21

There are troubles or misfortunes which have already
passed — so why should we vex ourselves over these? We
cannot help sorrowing when a loved one has been taken from us
— but why should we refuse to acquiesce in the will of
God? When some misfortune has taken money from us, or
when some turn in affairs has hurt our worldly interests — why
should we sit down and grieve over the loss?

Worry will not retrieve it, nor give us back the old
favorable conditions! It is a great deal more sensible for us
to face the fact of our diminished resources, or to accept the
new and changed conditions — adjusting ourselves to them, and
go right on with our life.

He was a wise traveler who, when his
horse died, said, "Well, I must walk now," and
traveled on with cheerful energy.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on
toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 3:13-14

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His infinite Majesty — His
ineffable Tenderness

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with
a powerful arm . . . He will feed His flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His
heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young."
Isaiah 40:10-11

The all-powerful Sovereign Lord — is loving too.
I cannot part with His infinite
Majesty — and just as little can I lose sight
of His ineffable Tenderness.

Our omnipotent God has . . .
measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
marked off the heavens with the breadth of His
hand,
held the dust of the earth in a basket, and
weighed the mountains on the scales and the
hills in a balance!
All nations are as nothing before Him! Thus . . .
He can prevail against my fiercest temptations;
He can satisfy my profoundest needs;
He can deal with my foulest sins;
He can put to flight my most persistent and remorseless
enemies;
He can perfect that which concerns me.
I rejoice in His sovereign omnipotence!

Ah, but also, "He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will
carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young." His graciousness
is deeper, larger, more patient, more steadfast than a
mother's! Thus, His compassions will never fail me.
Though I am poor and needy — yet He will think upon me. I am a
bruised reed, a flickering candle — but He will not break my
frail strength, nor quench my flickering light. I rejoice in
His measureless love!

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You,
O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving!"
Psalm 62:11-12

The Power without the Love, would crush me to the
earth.
The Love without the Power, would fail when it sought
to deliver me.
I crave both in harmony and union. And He gives me
both.
His omnipotence prevails over my impotence; and His gentleness
fastens my heart to His.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oh happy, happy slave!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become
slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness,
and the result is eternal life!" Romans 6:22

I am freed — in order to be enthralled. I am made free from
sin — to become the bond-servant of God. But whereas the old
vassalage was abject slavery — the new is the highest and
sweetest and best liberty.

It is the servitude of my grateful heart. God has
redeemed me not with silver and gold, but with the precious
blood of Christ His dear Son! I owe Him life and peace and
everything. I cannot but surrender myself, to Him who
surrendered Himself for me.

It is the servitude of my adoring and worshiping heart.
The vision of God's beauty, God's perfection, God's
love-worthiness, has thrown its spells and charms over me. I
am smitten with the hunger and thirst to resemble Him. I am
enthralled to His enchantments.

It is the servitude of my obedient heart. I have bound
His precepts and injunctions around me like chains of gold!
The yoke of His precepts lies upon my neck. But I do not find
these commandments grievous; to keep them is my great reward.

It is the servitude of my God-occupied heart. He has
come Himself and made His abode in me, through His Holy Spirit
given to me. From within He rules me far more than from
without. And so, rejoicingly and inevitably and eternally, I
yield myself to Him!

Oh happy, happy slave! There
is a perpetual song on his lips as he goes about the tasks of
his Golden Prince.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and
humble." 1 Peter 3:8

We should learn to look at the
blemishes and faults of others — only through
the eyes of love, with sympathy, patience, and compassion. We
do not know the secret history of the lives of others
around us. We do not know what piercing sorrows have
produced the scars we see in people's lives. We do
not know the pains and trials which make
life hard, to many with whom we are tempted to be impatient.
If we knew all the secret burdens and the heart-wounds
which many keep hidden beneath their smiling faces — we
would be patient and gentle with all people.

How much better — for wisdom buys what gold cannot procure.
Wisdom — the mind which hearkens to God and the heart
which yields to Him — brings me . . .
His divine favor,
His forgiving grace,
His power to shield me,
His guidance to lead me,
His knowledge to inspire me,
His glory to crown me!

Wisdom secures for me a wealth beside which the greatest
treasures of the world are but dross!

Wisdom penetrates where gold cannot go. It carries
pardon and peace into the deepest recesses of my spirit —
while gold can do nothing but deck my body and my home. It
gives me the strongest and the tenderest influence over others
— while gold cannot dispel their griefs and answer their
doubts. It lifts me into communion with the Most High God —
and gold is powerless to lead me there, to that glorious
country far beyond the stars!

Wisdom endures when gold is gone. This world's riches
take to themselves wings and flee away — almost every day
furnishes me with a new instance of how fleeting and
perishable they are. But wisdom makes mine the possessions
which never perish, which are never withdrawn, which through
life and death and eternity, are certain to gladden my soul!

"Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom!" Proverbs 4:7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This was how he grew in
spiritual strength and nobleness!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. Each
of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to
the interests of others!" Philippians 2:3-4

Did Paul live a depressed and dismayed life, because he was
perpetually denying himself out of love for others? Not at
all. The very reverse is true. This
was how he grew in spiritual strength and nobleness!
The discipline prospered his own soul.
It gave him wisdom and insight.
It gave him courage and endurance.
It gave him sympathy and considerateness.
It gave him deep restfulness and glowing joy.
By it he gained inward vigor, and the glow of spiritual
health, and spiritual life in its fire and force and fullness.

And this was how he won the hearts of men and women. They
saw that his was a yearning tenderness for them, which made
him unconcerned for his own comforts. And so others were
conquered, and melted, and led willing prisoners to the Lord
Jesus. He drew them by the magnetism of his love for them
— and they followed on.

And this was how he learned the secret of fellowship with
Jesus."Even Christ did not please Himself" Romans
15:3. The servant Paul came very close to the Master, and the
Master to the servant, just as the servant took up his cross
and gloried in it as he carried it in his arms. His little
lamp was lighted from the flame around the Savior's sacrifice.

So Paul lived in a noble place, because he looked perpetually
not on his own interests — but on the interests of others. Let
me master this truth. I shall never regret the
surrender and sacrifice of my desires and interests. It is for
my own good, as well as my Lord's wish and will.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He loved them to the
uttermost!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the uttermost!"
John 13:1

This is . . .
love in its essence,
love in its consummate blossom and fruit,
love in its ultimate and final perfection.

The love of Jesus bends very low. It travels from
Heaven to earth — and there is no science which can compute
that distance. It seeks out the chief of sinners — and all
human philanthropy is as nothing compared to His
all-surpassing love. It is not ashamed even of me — me in all
my depravity and my sin.

The love of Jesus gives very much. It wins my pardon,
although my transgressions are scarlet in their dye,
and countless in their multitude. It brings me
holiness, although I am prone to evil. It fills my cup to
overflowing with the rich and gladdening wine of Heaven!

The love of Jesus suffers very deeply. It was not by
some word of kingly majesty alone — it was not easily
and in a moment — that He made me the possessor of these
incalculable blessings. God spared not His own Son. The Son
spared not Himself. There was no bitterness from which He
shrank — there was no punishment which He did not bear, for
me!

The love of Jesus lasts very long. What shall separate
me from it?Life will not, with its manifold trials and
temptations.Death will not, with its icy chill. Eternity will not, with its unending years!

"I pray that you may grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge!" Ephesians 3:17-19

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There never was a fountain
like this!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"On that day a fountain will be opened to the house
of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them
from sin and impurity!" Zechariah 13:1
"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all
sin!" 1 John 1:7

There is another river, the streams of which make glad the
City of God. It is a river whose waters are crimson red, rather than crystal
clear. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin —
His life-blood, shed for our redemption on the shameful tree.

So many have proved the potency of this blessed
fountain — a great multitude which no man can number! From the
East and the West, the North and the South; from the early
dawn of Christ, and the modern home — they have pressed to its
brink, and they are pressing still. Whoever is willing, may
stoop down and drink and live!

Such continuous and permanent efficacy resides in the
fountain. It is not like the Pool of Bethesda, endowed with a
strange and vitalizing virtue only at intervals. The
dear dying Lamb never loses His power to save. The
Cross is at every moment, the instrument of pardon. The blood
cleanses — retains its capacity of cleansing perennially, age
after age.

And so universally and omnipotently successful these
blood-red waters are. From all my sin they will purge me:
my secret sins — and my presumptuous sins,
my sins of youth — and my sins of old age,
my sins against others — and my sins against myself,
my sins when I was a stranger to God — and my
darker and more hateful sins since I came home to Him.

There never was a fountain like this!
Exploration has not discovered its like, nor has imagination
ever conceived it! It is peerless, matchless, unique. Surely I
have washed and am daily washing in it, that I may be
clean!

There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains!

The dying thief rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there may I, though vile as he
wash all my sins away!

Dear dying Lamb, Your precious blood
shall never lose its power
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more!

E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Your flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die!

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing Your power to save! (William Cowper, 1731-1800)

Where is the separation from a self-pleasing luxurious
world? Where is the cross, the true badge of
discipleship, to be seen — except in useless religious
ornaments for the body, or worse than useless decorations for
the sanctuary?
"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" Is not this the
description of multitudes who name the name of Christ? They
may not be "living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies,
carousing and detestable idolatry." But even where these are
absent, there is 'high living' — luxury of the table or the
wardrobe — in conformity to 'this present evil world.'

"At ease in Zion!" Yes! there is the shrinking . . .
from hard service;
from 'spending and being spent;'
from toil and burden-bearing and conflict;
from self-sacrifice and noble service;
for the Master's sake.

There is conformity to the world, instead of
conformity to Christ!
There is a laying down, instead of a taking up of the cross.
Or there is a lining of the cross with velvet, lest it
should gall our shoulders as we carry it!
Or there is an adorning of the cross, that it may
suite the taste and the manners of our refined and
intellectual age.
Anything but the bare, rugged and simple cross!

We think that we can make the strait gate wider, and
the narrow way broader, so as to be able to walk more
comfortably to the heavenly kingdom. We try to prove that
'modern enlightenment' has so refined 'the world and its
pleasures', that we may safely drink the poisoned cup,
and give ourselves up to the inebriation of the Siren song.

"At ease in Zion!" Even when the walls of our city are
besieged, and the citadel is being stormed!

Instead of grasping our weapons, we lie down upon our couches!

Instead of the armor, we put on the silken robe!

We are cowards, when we should be brave!

We are faint-hearted, when we should be bold!

We are lukewarm, when we should be fervent!

We are cold, when we should be full of zeal!

We compromise and shuffle and make
excuses, when we should lift up our voice like a
trumpet! We pare down truth, or palliate error, or extenuate
sin — in order to placate the world, or suit the spirit of the
age, or 'unify' the Church.

Learn self-denying Christianity. Not the form or name,
but the living thing. Let us renounce the lazy, luxurious,
self-pleasing, fashionable religion of the present day!

A self-indulgent religion has nothing in common with
the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ; or with that
cross of ours which He has commanded us to take up and carry
after Him — renouncing ease and denying self.

Our time,
our abilities,
our money,
our strength —
are all to be laid upon the altar.
"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" Amos 6:1

"Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the
blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been
an invalid for thirty-eight years!" John 5:3-5

That was a long time to be sick! It is very hard to be
an invalid year after year!

This day's lesson may come to some who have been thus
afflicted, and we should stop a minute to think about their
case. Christian invalids have many comforts, if they will but
take them to heart. God makes no mistakes
in dealing with His children! He knows in
what school they will learn the best lessons —
and in what experiences they will grow best.

The furnace-fires of sickness burn off many a chain of sin
and worldliness! Many who are now in Heaven, will thank
God forever for their invalidism in this life — which
kept them from sin. We may be sure that God never calls any of
His children into sickness without a purpose of blessing them.
There is . . .
some spiritual lesson which He wants to teach
them;
some new glimpse of His love which He wants to
show them;
some Christian virtue or grace which
He wants to develop in them.

Sick-rooms should always be to us sacred places, as we
remember that God has summoned us there for some special work
upon our souls.

We need to be very careful lest we miss the good which
He wants us to receive. It is only those who trust Christ and
lie upon His bosom — who are blessed by sickness. Too many
invalids grow discontented, unhappy, sour and fretful.
Sickness ofttimes fails to do good to those who suffer. There
are few experiences in which we so much need to be watchful
over ourselves, and prayerful toward God. Be sure to keep the
sickness out of your heart — and keep Christ there
with His love and peace!

Consecration to God is nothing less than doing the will of
Christ, rather than our own will — doing it always,
whatever . . .
the cost,
the sacrifice,
or the danger.

There is too much mere pretense in our religion. We
say that we believe in Christ; but if we truly do, we must follow
Him wherever He leads, though we don't know where. We say
we love Christ, and from His lips comes the crucial test:
"If you love Me — keep My commandments."

To be a Christian is to be
devoted utterly, and irrevocably, to Christ!

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot
be My disciple!" Luke 14:27

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To the uttermost!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"He is able to save to the
uttermost!" Hebrews 7:25

My Lord Jesus Christ is able to save me to the
uttermost!

He is able to save me to the uttermost depth of my need.
Science is now sounding the lowest abysses of the ocean; but
there is no science, nor thought, nor imagination, which can
send its plummet to the bottom of Christ's unsearchable grace!
Down to my sharpest sorrow He goes,
down to my profoundest loneliness,
down to my keenest temptation,
down to my foulest sin!
He traveled from Heaven to Calvary to atone for my sin; and I
know of no descent which He will not make today.

He is able to save me to the uttermost limit of my nature.
And such a many-faceted nature mine is! The intellect
has its demands, and the memory, and the conscience,
and the imagination, and the will, and the heart
— each of them cries out for a separate satisfaction. And each
of them finds it in Jesus!
He answers the questions of my intellect.
He plucksthe deepest sorrows from my memory.
He cancels the accusations of my conscience.
He paints the noblest pictures in my imagination.
He renews and directs my will.
He fills my heart with His love.

He is able to save me to the uttermost verge of my life.
My various conditions and experiences,
my conflict and my calm,
my work and my rest,
my gladness and my grief —
He blesses me through them all. Lo, He is with me all the
days, even unto the end, and through the end,
and beyond the end forever and ever! Death cannot part
me from Him. Eternity will only draw me closer to Him. To the
ages of the ages — He is mine, and I am His!

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the
everlasting arms!" Deuteronomy 33:27

Embracing arms suggest a father'slove,
or the love of a very dear and trusted friend. It is very
sweet for a child to nestle thus in the arms of father and
mother.

The embrace suggests not only affection — but support,
protection, shelter, and secure keeping. The strongest and
gentlest human arms will some day fall away,
unclasping their embrace. But the arms of God are
"everlasting." Nothing can ever unbind them from us. Nothing
can ever snatch us out of those arms!

We know that when once enfolded in the love of God — we shall
be kept there forever. Whatever human arms may have
dropped away from their embrace, or may hereafter drop away —
you know that the arms of God will always enfold you in warm,
tender, strong affection!

Another precious word in this old text is the word
"underneath." The arms of God are always underneath.
No matter how low one sinks away in suffering, or weakness, or
pain, or trial — still and always, God's everlasting arms are
underneath His redeemed people!

I want you to feel . . .
that God's love is everlasting,
that His grace is eternal,
that His protection is something which never
can be disturbed.

Earth's nests are all
liable to be torn to pieces, for nothing in this poor world is
stable and sure. Even the giant mountain peaks shall molder
away. But the love of God remains forever the same. "The
mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My
kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant
of My peace be removed, says the Lord that has mercy on you."

Many people are proud of their possessions, and boast of their
wealth; yet their possessions are very limited, and their
wealth has wings and may at any time flee away!

A Christian may not be proud — but he has great reason to be
thankful.

He can look over the whole earth, and say, "My
wealth exceeds all this!"

He can look up and gaze on the starry heavens and say,
"My property exceeds this vast expanse!"

He may try to conceive of the greatness and glory of the created
universe, and then say, "I claim more than all
this!"

Looking up to the author, owner, and disposer
of all worlds — he can say, "You are my portion, O Lord!"

What a privilege! A portion — and such a portion.
God Himself in all His greatness, and in all His goodness.
God with all He is, and all He has — is my portion!

What kind of a portion is this? It is immense, for it
comprehends all.

All the attributes of the Divine nature, are for us.
All the perfections of God's character, are on our
side.
All the productions of the divine power, are for our
good.
Therefore the apostle says, "All things are yours!"
Nothing good is withheld from us!

What the father of the prodigal said to his eldest son — our
heavenly Father says to every one of His children, "Son,
you are ever with Me, and all that I have is yours!"

And we may adopt similar language in speaking to our heavenly
Father, to that used by the angel to Abraham, "By this I
know that You love me, because You have not withheld Your
Son, Your only Son from me!" And from this fact, we may
draw the same conclusion as Paul did, "He who spared
not His own Son — but delivered Him up for us all, how shall
he not with Him also, freely give us all things!"

O beloved, God in all the glory of His nature and
perfections, God with all His unsearchable riches — is our
portion!

What kind of a portion is this? It is immutable. It
remains forever. Others may lose their property, or it may
become deteriorated and comparatively valueless — but our
portion is forever the same.

Speaking of the finest, noblest, and most durable works of
creation, the Psalmist says, "In the beginning You laid the
foundations of the earth, and the heavens are
the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain the
same; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You
will change them, and they will be discarded. But You
remain the same, and Your years will never end!" Psalm
102:25-27

Our portion can never be forfeited, or alienated, or reduced
in value — because it is the unchangeable God!

Blessed is the man that can say with Jeremiah, "The Lord
is my portion, therefore will I hope in Him!" Or with
David, "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance!"

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength
of my heart and my portion forever!" Psalm 73:26

If God is my portion, then I ought to be content without
any other portion. He is . . .
enough in poverty,
enough in persecution,
enough in life,
enough in death,
enough for evermore!

If God gives me Himself — then it is more than as if He had
given me the whole world, or ten thousand worlds like this! O
how happy was the apostle Paul, who knowing God to be his
portion could say, "I have learned to be content whatever
the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know
what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in need!"
Philippians 4:11-12

If God is my portion, I ought to be thankful. It is
enough. There is no losing it. What dignity, what honor is
conferred on the man who has God for
his portion! I deserved to be stripped of
everything, and to be turned out of God's presence eternally
penniless, wretched, and miserable. But instead of this, God
in His free grace, in His infinite mercy — gives me . . .
a mansion,
a city with eternal foundations,
a kingdom; more,
He gives me Himself! God in all His glory, in all His grace — is mine!

If God is my portion, then I ought to be living upon
Him. If I live upon anything outside of God — then I
live upon what is finite, and will change. But if I live upon
God, I live upon the infinite, and upon what is unchangeable.
As a believer, I should live befitting the dignity of my lofty
character, position, and prospects. The man of fortune ought
not to live like the pauper. Just so, the Christian ought not
to live like other men.

If God is my portion, I ought to be making a proper use
of it. I should set my portion over and against . . .
all my pains and privations,
all my griefs and grievances,
all my sadnesses and sorrows.
I should look above all my trials and troubles — and
rejoice that throughout eternity, I shall have . . .
eternal ease — instead of pain,
eternal plenty — instead of privation,
eternal joy — instead of grief,
eternal gladness — instead of sadness,
and eternal bliss — instead of sorrow!

Beloved, is the Lord your portion? Are you living upon
Him as such?

But if God is not your portion — then what is?
Where are your thoughts most?
Where do your affections center?
After what do you pursue? The world? It is a poor, perishing, unsatisfying
portion! It will be found insufficient, unsatisfactory, and
perishing! Unless God is your portion, you will be . . .
unsatisfied in life,
wretched in death, and
indescribably miserable to all eternity!

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my
heart and my portion forever!" Psalm 73:26

"The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your
hands. He has watched over your
walking through this vast wilderness. These
forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have
not lacked anything!" Deuteronomy 2:7

Israel's journey from Egypt to Canaan, very well represents
and illustrates the believer's journey through the present
world unto the promised rest. We have . . .
to cross a desert,
to walk through a wilderness,
to live in entire dependence on God, and
to be led by his wise and gracious hand.

We may not encroach on the property of the men of this world,
nor should we desire it. The reason given Israel for
not touching, or taking, any of the land of the children of
Esau, is the reason that may be given us, for the Lord your
God "has watched your walking through this vast
wilderness!" The Lord knows where we are, what we need,
and is able to supply us. He is with us, has promised
to provide for us — and therefore should be obeyed
and honored by us.

THE PLACE.
"This vast wilderness." What that vast wilderness was
to Israel — the world is, or should be, to us.

It was a barren spot — and such is the world; it
yields no food for the soul; it gives no satisfaction to the
mind. It was generally hot and sultry — and here we are tried
by fierce temptations, or fiery afflictions. It is an
exhausting and debilitating climate, and often weakens
the pilgrim along his way.

It is wearying, as well as exhausting, so that the
Christian tires of everything below, and often longs to flee
away to a happier climate.

It is dangerous too; here the old serpent the devil,
the roaring lion, and a thousand dangerous pitfalls
have to be avoided or overcome!

It is as perplexing as it is dangerous, so that unless
led by a divine hand, we would never find the path, or reach
the promised land.

Its difficulties are great and numerous,
and seem to increase the farther we advance. It lies
between the plentiful and pleasant land of Egypt,
which is left behind — and the more plentiful and pleasant
land of Canaan, which is before us. It is often a long,
tiresome, trying journey.

THE EXERCISE.
"Your walking through this vast wilderness." Walking,
not riding. All had to walk. There was no royal road,
or comfortable transportation. So we must walk, and walk by
faith. We must . . .
walk every day,
walk after the Lord's example,
walk with God,
walk towards the promised rest,
walk all weathers, whether sunshine or storm, the wet
season or the dry.

All had something to carry — the luggage went with
them. Just so, we are all more or less burdened. There is a cross
for every one's shoulder, and a burden for every
back.

We have to travel too in a mixed company. As it was
with Israel, so it is with us. A mixed multitude from of the
land of Egypt went along with them — and there is a mixed
multitude with us. If all were true pilgrims, then it
would help and encourage us; but the false-hearted ones we
have to deal with, often hinder and cast us down.

Amidst snares, temptations, and discouragements, we
have to press on our way, not knowing what a day may bring
forth.

Yet we are not without comfort, nor have we any real reason to
be discouraged, for the Lord knows our walking through this
vast wilderness.
THE FACT.
The Lord knew where they were, and what they
were. He knew that they were in the wilderness, for he appointed
it; he led them into it, he had conducted them through
it.

Just so, we are where we are by divine appointment. It
was all arranged and settled in the everlasting covenant. We
are not here by chance — but by God's divine decree.
The Lord by his unerring providence led us here, and by the
same providence he will lead us home.

Our great comfort is, that Jesus has traveled the road before
us. He knows by experience what we are now passing through. He
suffered, being tempted. He was tried in all points like as we
are. His eye rests upon us. He watches us every moment. He
observes the difficulties of the road, and the supplies that
we need. He sends us all we need, and as we
need it. He is engaged to see us safely through the
wilderness. He has taken charge of us. He has undertaken for
us. He has made ample and suitable provision. He has helped us
hitherto, and will help us through the entire journey!

The Christian's journey then is across a desert.
He must walk every step of the road.
The Lord knows all . . .
his weaknesses and his woes,
his wants and his foes,
his fears and his cares,
his faults and his follies
— and provides for all.
What is the world to us?
A pleasant spot — or a vast wilderness?
A desirable residence — or a dreary desert?
What are we doing in the world?
Are we settling down in it — or walking through it?
What is our great comfort here?
Is it that the Lord our God knows where we are, what we need,
and will supply us? Beloved, our God has so provided for us,
that we may not envy the children of Esau, or any of the
inhabitants of the land. As Israel was forbidden to beg or
steal from their neighbors, because God had blessed them — so
we should, "Keep our lives free from the love of money and be
content with what we have, because God has said: Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you!" Hebrews 13:5

"When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town
learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house — she
brought an alabaster jar of perfume" Luke 7:37

It is wonderful how genuine goodness draws to itself
. . .
the unfortunate,
the troubled,
the friendless,
the outcast,
the fallen.

Wherever Jesus went — these classes always
found Him out and gathered about Him. It was because He was
the true, unselfish friend of all men. They found sympathy
in Him. He would listen to their story. Though He
was the sinless One, there was yet no air of "I am holier than
you" about Him. He was just as gentle to an outcast sinner —
as to a religious Nicodemus. No matter who reached out a hand
for help — He was ready to grasp it. One of the truest things
ever said of Jesus, was the prophetic word concerning him, "He
shall not break a bruised reed!" He always dealt most
gently with sore spirits and with bruised hearts!

Those who want to be useful in this world — must have the same
qualities as Jesus. There is a kind of false "holiness" which
draws nobody to itself — but rather repels. Genuine holiness,
however, wins its way everywhere into men's hearts. The secret
of it all, is in living "not to be served — but to serve;"
in considering one's self not too good to serve the most
unworthy of God's creatures. If we live in this world to be
served — we shall be of no use to anyone. But if we live
to minister to others, yearning to be of service to everyone
we meet — then our life will be of great worth. The
hungry-hearted and the soul-needy will be drawn
to us — and God will love to put work into our hands.

We need, too, to train ourselves to exceeding gentleness
in dealing with human souls in their spiritual crises. Many
earnest people, in the excess of their zeal — do incalculable
harm to those whom they greatly desire to help. People with sore and bruised hearts
— usually need loving sympathy and strong, kindly friendship —
much more than they need a lecture in theology!

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Fiction has often been a wholesome relief to a good man's
overworked and weary brain. Many of the recent popular novels
are wholesome in their tone, and the historical type
often instructive.

Exclusive reading of novels is to a person's mind — just what
highly spiced food and alcoholic stimulants are to the body.
The chief objection to the best of them, is that they excite a
distaste in the mind for any serious reading. The increasing rage for novel reading
betokens both a famine in the intellect, and a serious peril
to the mental and spiritual life.

The honest truth is — that too large a number of today's
fictitious works are subtle poison. The plots of some
of the most popular novels are based on immorality, and the
violation in some form of the seventh commandment.
They kindle evil passions;
they varnish and veneer vice;
they deride marital purity;
they uncover what ought to be hidden;
they paint in attractive hues — what never ought to be seen by
any pure eye, or named by any modest tongue.

Two of the perils which threaten American youths, are a licentious
theaterand a poisonous literature.
One who has examined many of the novels printed during
the last decade, said to me: "The main purpose of many of
these books is to knock away the underpinning of the marriage
relation of the Bible."

If parents give house-room to trashy or corrupt books,
they cannot be surprised if their children give heart-room
to "the world, the flesh, and the devil." When interesting and
profitable books are so abundant and so cheap, this increasing
rage for novels is to me, one of the sinister signs of the
times!

[Editor's note: One can only wonder
what Culyer would say about the immoral and insipid media
which paralyze, pollute and poison the minds and hearts of the
vast majority of professing Christians today!]

The work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, is of the greatest
importance.
Until we experience it, we are dead in sin.
Having once enjoyed it, we often need its renewal.
The work of the Holy Spirit in the heart is variously
represented in God's Word, and is compared to a variety of
things. In one place, to the reviving and refreshing
influences of the dew. In another, to the quickening
and fructifying effects of the shower. Again, the
Psalmist sings, "I shall be anointed with fresh oil."

Oil is a common emblem of the Spirit, who is called "the
anointing which you have received." This anointing represents
His renewing, sanctifying, and saving operations, as received
and enjoyed by all God's people.

This anointing consecrates them as God's kings, and
they become the Lord's anointed.

It qualifies them as God's priests, and they become a
royal priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God, through Jesus Christ.

This anointing beautifies them, as God's sons,
causing their faces to shine, and filling them with joy and
peace.

This anointing perfumes them as God's favorites, and
all their garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia.

Without this anointing, we cannot . . .
reign as kings,
officiate as priests,
approach God as sons, or
rejoice before Him as favorites.

The EFFECTS of this anointing are many, and very precious:

This anointing gives us fresh views of Christ, and
every sight of Him endears Him more and more to our hearts.

This anointing gives us a deeper experience of the truth,
and we know more of its power, sweetness, and savor.

This anointing gives us more power in prayer, and we
plead with God and prevail.

This anointing gives us sweeter enjoyment of ordinances,
for we see more of Christ in them, and are mightily refreshed
through them.

This anointing gives us stronger confidence in God,
so that we conquer our doubts and fears, and can trust God in
the dark — or in the light; on the mount — or in the valley.

This anointing gives a delightful savor to our conversation,
so that we not only speak of Christ with freedom, and of our
Christian experience with pleasure — but there is a savor and
a power in what we say, which produces a good impression in
those that hear.

This anointing preserves us from falling into temptation.
Nothing will . . .
raise us above the world,
give us power over flesh, or
make us a match for Satan —
like being anointed with fresh oil.

We are regenerated but once — but we may receive the
renewings of the Holy Spirit often, and unless we
receive these renewings, we shall become dry, barren,
lifeless, and cold! There will be . . .
no delight in prayer,
little pleasure in ordinances, and
the Bible itself will become unsavory.

We cannot go on long, or go on happily, without fresh oil.
See then, what we all need, "fresh oil." We need daily to be
renewed in the spirit of our minds. The earth may as well be
expected to be fruitful without sun, rain, or dew — as for our
souls to prosper without frequent communications of the Holy
Spirit.

We should ardently desire the fresh anointings of the
Spirit. He is as necessary to our souls, as the vital air is
to our bodies. Our natural lives could as easily be sustained
without breath, as our spiritual life without the Holy Spirit.
We should earnestly pray to "be filled with the
Spirit," that we may "live in the Spirit," and "walk
in the Spirit."

Gracious God, anoint me with fresh
oil!

We sometimes say, "beware of a religion without Christ,"
It is of quite as much importance to say, "beware of a
religion without the Holy Spirit."

Reader, are you one of God's anointed ones? Have you received
an unction from the Holy One? Does the Spirit of God dwell in
you? Beware, O beware, of a religion without the Holy Spirit!
If the Holy Spirit is in you, He will daily . . .
teach you your need of Christ,
bring you to Christ,
make Christ precious to you, and
lead you to glory in Him, and in Him alone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Common mercies!

"God has shown kindness by giving you rain
from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides
you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."
Acts 14:17

We ofttimes forget that the common
mercies of life are evidences of our
Father's loving thought and care for His children. There is no
such thing as 'chance' in this world. God sends the rains,
orders the seasons, and brings the harvests. In enjoying the gifts
— we should not forget the Giver. In accepting and
using the blessings — we should not fail to see the Hand
which brings them to us! (J.R. Miller)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits to
me?" Psalm 116:12

The Christian, as he journeys onwards in the pathway of life,
ought frequently to look back, and review the way by which God
has led him. If we would keep alive our gratitude — if we
would have it to increase more and more, until, like a holy
flame, it burns within us — we must often, in thought, retrace
the varied turnings and windings of our earthly pilgrimage.

We are so prone, amid our daily duties and our interaction
with the world, to forget and overlook the divine benefits
received, that only by a careful and frequent retrospect, can
we continue, from day to day, cherishing a spirit of true and
ever-increasing thankfulness to God. But, the oftener
we make the review, the greater cause will we have for saying,
with David, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my father's
house, that you have brought me hitherto?"

Christian! you cannot indeed reckon up all the benefits you
have received from the hand of God — for they are as numerous
as the stars of heaven or the drops of the mighty ocean! Your
common mercies — alas!
too lightly valued . . .
the air you breathe,
the return of the gladsome sunlight,
the succession of the seasons, and
the quiet and gentle stillness and repose of night
— all these, with their unnumbered host of attendant
blessings, are scattered on your path! (John MacDuff)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Let us praise God for common mercies,
for they prove to be uncommonly precious — when they
are once taken away! (Charles
Spurgeon)

"God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life."
1 Thessalonians 4:7

I know Christians who are not brilliant, who never do
any great things — but whose lives are so
true, so consistent, so Christlike, that wherever they go,
they carry in their very presence a bit of heavenly sunshine.

Concerning one of these, a friend said a few years ago,
standing by the coffin of the young woman who had been called
home, "Wherever she went, flowers grew in her pathway, and the
air was always sweeter when she entered the room." This is
true of certain lives, even apart from what they do.
Of course, it is the godly life and character, which makes the
pleasant face, and which gives to the presence its strange
power.

May God give you grace always to be a blessing wherever you
go, not only in the things you do and the things you
say — but still more in the
sweet and quiet influence of your life.

"Your beauty should not come from
outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of
gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of
your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight!" 1 Peter
3:3-4

"Set an example for the believers in
speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy
4:12

"The Lord gave — and the Lord has
taken away! Blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21

Noble posture this — to kneel and to adore! To see no hand but
ONE! Sabeans, Fire, Whirlwind, Sword — are all
overlooked. The Patriarch alone recognizes that it is "the
Lord" who gave, and "the Lord" who has taken away.

What is the cause of so much dejection, needless sorrow, and
unchristian murmuring — in our hours of trial; and our
inability to sincerely say, "May the will of the Lord be
done!" It is a refusal to hear His voice; His own loving
voice, mingling with the accents of the wildest storm: "It
is I! Do not be afraid!"

"When disaster comes to a city — has not the Lord
caused it?" Amos 3:6

Is there a bitter drop in your cup — and the Lord has
not mingled it?

The Lord loves His people too well — to entrust their interest
to any other. We are but clay in the hand of the Potter;
earthen vessels in the hand of the Refiner of silver. He
metes out our portion. He appoints the bounds of our
habitation.

"The Lord God prepared the gourd! The Lord God
prepared the worm!" He is the Author alike of
mercies and sorrows; of comforts and crosses. He breathes into
our nostrils the breath of life; and it is at His summons,
that the spirit returns "to the God who gave it!"

Oh, that we would seek to regard our own lives and the lives
of those dear to us — as a loan from the Divine Bestower.
God, as the Great Proprietor, when He sees fit — can revoke
the grant or curtail the lease He gave! All our mercies are .
. .bestowed by Him; continued by Him; withdrawn by Him!

And how often does He take away — that He Himself may enter
the vacuum of the heart, and fill it with His own ineffable
presence and love! No loss can compensate for the lack of Him
— but He can compensate for all losses! Let us trust His love
and faithfulness, as a "taking" as well as a "giving" God. May
we trust His heart — when we cannot trace His hand!

Often are Sense and Sight tempted to say, "Not
so, Lord!" But Faith, resting on His promise,
can exult in this Rainbow spanning the darkest cloud, "Yes,
Father, because this was Your good pleasure!"

"We know that God causes all things to work together for
the good of those who love God and are called according to His
purpose." Romans 8:28

"The Lord Almighty says: Behold! The
day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace!
On that day the proud and the wicked will be burned up like
stubble. They will be consumed — roots, branches, and all!"
Malachi 4:1

1. THE TERRIBLE FACT. "Behold! The day of judgment is
coming, burning like a furnace!"

The element of punishment is fire — the
fiercest, most powerful, most penetrating, and most
destructive of the elements!
Fire, and plenty of it, for it is a lake of fire!
Fire glowing with fierceness, fire strengthened, contracted,
and fed, for it shall burn as a furnace!
This will be more dreadful than Nebuchadnezzar's burning fiery
furnace — more than the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It
will be so terrible that . . .
no words can set it forth,
no imagery can represent it,
no mind can conceive it!

The punishment will be irresistible. It is devouring
fire. There will be no standing against it. As when the
prairie is on fire, and floods of flame come sweeping along —
there is no resisting, no escaping it. In the same way, none
can resist, or escape from the devouring
fire with which the day of judgment shall be ushered in.

The punishment will be eternal.
It is everlasting burnings.
It is unquenchable fire.
It will feed on sinners — but never consume them.
It will punish — but never annihilate them.
It will begin — but never end.
It is forever!
FOREVER! FOREVER!!!
Everlasting punishment!
Eternal fire!

Yet the punishment is just. No one will suffer more
than he deserves. Every sufferer's conscience will be
satisfied that his punishment is his just due. No one will be
able to charge God with cruelty or injustice; for God will
have a witness in every man's bosom, that He is doing right.
Every sufferer will be silenced with the conviction that he is
only receiving the just reward of his deeds.

2. THE CHARACTERS DOOMED. "On that day the proud and
the wicked will be burned up like stubble!"

"The proud." Proud professors — and proud worldlings.
All who unduly value themselves, and despise others. All, who
are too proud to submit to the righteousness of God, or to bow
to be saved in the same way, by the same grace, as the thief
on the cross, or the immoral woman. All who in the pride of
their hearts reject the gospel, put away the invitations of
the Savior, and refuse to be reconciled to God. All who
despise the poor saints, on account of their poverty; or any
of the Lord's little ones, on account of their infirmities.
The proud always . . .
exalt man,
insult God,
yield to Satan, and
grieve the Holy Spirit.
God resists the proud — but gives grace to the humble.

A proud sinner cannot be saved. Pride is the root — and
wickedness is the fruit. The proud are always wicked,
and therefore the proud, even all who do wickedness, are
doomed to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire!

"The wicked." That is,
all who will not observe God's law, to walk by it,
all who will not embrace Christ's gospel, to be saved by it,
all who will not fly to the refuge, provided for the guilty.

3. THE DOOM. "They will be burned up like stubble!" They
shall be as stubble dried by the eastern sun, on which the
flame seizes, feeds, and strengthens.
They shall be fuel for everlasting burnings!
They shall be utterly consumed with terrors!

Their destruction shall be complete. "They will be
consumed — roots, branches, and all!" It shall leave
them no ROOT — no hope remaining. While there is a
root, there is hope — but when the root is gone, there is no
hope.

It shall leave them no BRANCH — there shall be no beauty
left. All will be gloom, misery, and woe!

This is certain, for God Himself speaks. He speaks as the God
of war, "Behold! The Lord Almighty says!" Here is . .
.
majesty — but not mercy;
power — but not pity;
judgment — but not compassion!

How fearsome is divine majesty, stripped of mercy!
How dreadful is omnipotence, when there is no pity!
How direful is judgment, when there is no compassion!